Skeletal System & Anatomy Review

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms, anatomical features, structural definitions, and diagnostic details from the lecture on axial and appendicular skeletons.

Axial Skeleton

The skeletal division consisting of the cranium, facial bones, vertebra, and ribs.

Appendicular Skeleton

The skeletal division that includes the upper and lower extremities, pectoral girdle, pelvic girdle, and digits.

Cranial Vault

The internal portion of the skull, divided into the anterior, middle, and posterior cranial fossae.

Lesser Wing of the Sphenoid

The dividing section of bone that separates the anterior cranial vault from the middle cranial vault.

Sella Turcica

A deep saddle-like structure in the center of the sphenoid bone that sits around and protects the pituitary gland.

Optic Canal

The opening located around the pituitary that extends into the orbital socket and houses the optic nerve.

Internal Acoustic Meatus

An opening located on the petrous portion of the temporal bone that acts as an inward continuation of the external acoustic meatus into the brain.

Foramen Magnum

The large opening at the base of the skull in which the brainstem sits before continuing down the vertebral column as the spinal cord.

Hypoglossal Canal

The opening located underneath and adjacent to the foramen magnum through which cranial nerve $12$ exits to reach the mouth.

Cribriform Plate

The region on either side of the crista galli containing small perforations where olfactory nerves (cranial nerve $1$) project into the superior nasopharynx.

Mandibular Fossa

The depression on the temporal bone that articulates with the mandibular condyle to form half of the temporomandibular joint.

Hyoid Bone

The only bone in the human skeleton that does not articulate directly with any other bone, comprised of a greater horn, lesser horn, and body for muscle attachment.

Scoliosis

An abnormal lateral curvature of the spine requiring a minimum lateral bend diagnosis of $10$ degrees.

Lordotic Curvature

A normal reverse or backward-shaped curve of the spine found in the cervical and lumbar regions that permits high mobility.

Kyphotic Curvature

A normal forward-shaped curve of the spine located in the thoracic and sacral regions that serves to protect internal organs.

Intervertebral Disc

A structure composed of the superior vertebral endplate, inferior vertebral endplate, an outer annulus fibrosus, and an inner nucleus pulposus.

Nucleus Pulposus

The fluid center of an intervertebral disc composed of water and glial proteins that acts as a neurotoxin if leaked near surrounding nerves.

Atlas and Axis

The top two cervical vertebrae ($C1$ and $C2$) that articulate via a ring and tooth process, providing $40$ degrees of the neck's total $55$ degrees of lateral rotation.

True Ribs

Ribs $1$ through $7$, whose costal cartilages attach directly into the sternum.

False Ribs

Ribs $8$, $9$, and $10$, whose costal cartilages attach indirectly to the sternum by connecting to the cartilage of the rib above.

Floating Ribs

Ribs $11$ and $12$, which do not attach to the sternum at all and function primarily to protect the kidneys.

Innominate Bone

Also known as the coxal bone, it forms the pelvic girdle and consists of three fused bones: the ilium, ischium, and pubis.

Acetabulum

The deep lateral socket of the innominate bone into which the head of the femur articulates to form the hip joint.

Obturator Foramen

The large opening situated in the inferior region of each coxal bone.

Plantar Fasciitis

An inflammatory condition characterized by irritation along the plantar fascia that extends continuously from the calcaneus all the way to all $5$ digits.